Cleanse the mind with lotus in Muan

<**2>

MUAN, Jeolla Province -- As a symbol of the teachings of Buddha, the lotus emanates special meaning in the oriental world. They only grow in soiled waters, yet maintain their beauty and clarity, all the while cleansing the griminess of their surroundings.



They say that like the lotus, one should not get smeared with the impurity of the world where we live in, and do good deeds.

Looking at the way their wide leaves fan against the wind in serene Hoesan Baekryeonji of Muan, South Jeolla Province, it indeed looks as though lotus plants have a spirit of their own, descended to the earth to give humans a message of wisdom.

Baekryeonji, or a field of white lotus flowers, is one of the most proud destinations of Muan, located along the western coast of the peninsula.



Muan`s Hoesan lotus field is the largest habitat of white lotus in Asia, close to the size of 330,000 square meters.

Muan, also famous for its wide span of tideland with scrumptious supply of thin-legged octopus as they are famously called here by the name saebal nakji, can be a good choice for a summer getaway.

Next month, the county hosts one of its largest events, the Lotus Industry Festival of Korea from Aug. 6-9, when the blossoms of white lotus flowers will peak.

Not only that, but the county has an interesting mixture of modern velocity and traditional lifestyle. Its Muan International Airport serves as a major channel connecting Korea with China and Japan, while 43 percent of its land is filled with agricultural fields growing onions and garlic.

Muan is also home to "buncheongsagi," a grayish-blue-powdered celadon made from the period of the Three States (57 B.C.-668 A.D.).

Furnaces in the Mongtan area of Muan continue to make earthenware and clayware to this day, also participating in a cultural festival in September each year and offering on-hand experience programs.

Muan is also a fun educational ground for children, with its newly constructed Muan Mud Center and a showcase of real fighter jets and helicopters at the Muan Hodam Aviation and Space Center.



The Lotus Industry Festival of Korea

The wide lotus field of Hoesan was originally a reservoir built to provide water for farming. County officials say that as a dam was built in the estuary of Yongsan River, one of the local residents planted 12 white lotus plants at the reservoir, after having a dream of 12 cranes flying over and landing at the reservoir.

White lotus flowers blooms between July and September, and the peak is in August.

<**3>

The festival has been held every year since 1997, hosting various events and drawing avid visitors from across the country.

Along and across the white lotus field is a wooden esplanade. Adding a cute touch are small statues of the characters from "Demetan Croaker, The Boy Frog" hidden among the high lotus plants. Although the animation is Japanese, they bring great sense of nostalgia among Koreans who grew up watching it.

One thing to note, however, is that it would be hard to see all the white flowers bloom at the same time, as they tend to flower sporadically, unlike the pink-colored lotus flowers that bloom all at once.

At the end of the pathway is a glass greenhouse and on the first floor is a cafeteria selling various lotus teas, as well as an exhibition of water lilies.

Another fun experience is to go on a small white boat to go around the pond that takes about 30 minutes. Up to four people can get on the boat to go along the 500-meter long route.

Since last year, the annual lotus festival has taken a new turn, by highlighting the industrious benefits of the plants.

Last year alone, Muan succeeded in sealing export deals worth $5.1 million through the festival.

For this, Muan has been hosting various forums and business consultations to widen business opportunities for the locals by exporting various lotus-related products.

The festival will begin with an event for making and sharing large lotus leaf rice that can feed some 2,000 people. Other events include a cooking competition using lotus leaves and roots, making lotus soap and lotus umbrella, among others.

A business consultation session will also be open to foreign buyers, plus a promotional hall for the lotus products.

More information on the festival can be reached at (061) 285-1323.



Experiencing Muan tideland

The foreshore, or tideland, of Muan spreads some 204.7 square kilometers, with well-kept wilderness of the nature. It is also a great place to watch the sun set. Thanks to efforts by the locals, the tideland was named a wetland protection zone in December 2001. Last year, the tidal flat registered as conservation swamps in the Ramsar Agreement.

The Ramsar Agreement aims at stopping damage to the ecosystem and has held meetings every three years since 1971 to promote the importance of wetlands.

Living in the Muan tidal flats are white-feet sand crabs, gobies, gastropods and lugworms.

Muan Mud Center, located nearby on the 1-1 street of Yuweol-ri, Haeje-myeon of Muan is newly constructed and waiting for an official opening. Visits, however, are already allowed. The center is designed to rouse educational interests among children, with diverse samples and sculptures explaining the creation of tidal flats and its biological world.

For a visit to the center, call (061) 453-5010.



Buncheongsagi

Muan maintains several ancient furnaces to make buncheongsagi, or grayish-blue-powdered celadon.

The most well-known of them is Muanyo, currently managed by state-approved master potter Kim Ok-soo.

Kim, 55, has been making buncheongsagi for more than 35 years as the 14th generation to do so in his family.

"Muan has been an adequate place for this particular pottery for its abundant soil rich in iron," Kim said.

Kim started making these pots when he was 18, despite the opposition of his father, who did not want his son to take on the difficult task of maintaining the tradition with little to no respect from society. Kim said it has only been in recent years that the county and country as a whole began noticing the importance of keeping the technique and tradition alive.

To experience making one`s own buncheongsagi, call Muanyo at (061) 452-3513 or contact the Muan County office.



Aviation and Space Center

At first glance, it appears quite out of place for these retired fighter jets to be showcased in this peaceful county. But the aviation and space center, located four kilometers from the downtown area is also a frequented destination by Muan residents and visitors.

The center was established by retired general Ock Man-ho, who was the 12th chief of staff for the Republic of Korea Air Force. Ock, born and raised in Muan, spent his own money to introduce children to the role of the country`s Air Force.

On the some 3,000-pyeong-large land are 11 formerly used aircraft. An indoor exhibition hall also showcases various materials and models to present the development of the world`s aviation and space technology.

The center is open for viewing from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. except on Mondays, New Year`s Day and the Chuseok holiday.

The center can be reached at (061) 452-3055.



What to eat

When you ask any Korean what to eat in Muan, they`d say without hesitation, octopus. But Muan is also becoming famous for other foods, namely straw-barbequed pork. It is done by laying bite-sized pieces of pork (samgyeopsal) onto the portable grill, lighting rice straw on fire and directly barbequing the meat. Since the process creates lots of smoke, the restaurant does it for you and brings it right to the table. The barbequed pork is tender and smoky and great when eaten with a dab of grated crab sauce and Muan`s signature onion kimchi. Dooam Restaurant is dubbed the original straw-barbeque house, and can be reached at (061) 452-3775.

Another special menu is lotus beer, available at Haneul Baekryeon Brau (brewery). They brew their own beer with lotus juice, to create something that tastes a little bit bitter but is surprisingly smooth to swallow. They also have diverse dishes featuring lotus, such as pork cutlet made with powdered lotus and glutinous rice cooked and wrapped in steamed lotus leaf. The restaurant can be reached at (061) 285-8503.

More information on Muan tours can be reached by visiting http://tour.muan.go.kr or calling (061) 450-5319.

(angiely@heraldm.com)





By Lee Joo-hee